Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

September 6, 2005                          Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Commrs. Allen Root, Jim Lopes, David Smith, Greg Wilhelm, Charles Stevenson, Vice-Chair Michael Boudreau, and Chairperson Zeljka Howard 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Commissioners or staff may modify the order of items. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  At this time, people may address the Commission about items not on the agenda.  Persons wishing to speak should come forward and state their name and address.  Comments are limited to five minutes per person.  Items raised at this time are generally referred to the staff and, if action by the Commission is necessary, may be scheduled for a future meeting. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

NOTE:  Any court challenge to the action taken on public hearing items on this agenda may be limited to considering only those issues raised at the public hearing, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Luis Obispo at, or prior to, the public hearing.  If you wish to speak, please give your name and address for the record. 

1.        1500,1521 Froom Ranch Way. ARC 7-05; Architectural review of new buildings on 2 parcels; and Environmental review. C-R zone; Madonna Properties, applicant. (Continued from August 15, 2005.) (Phil Dunsmore) 

Commissioner Lopes motioned to continue the item on the basis that the visual analysis was not sufficient to address the concerns noted in the Costco EIR. This motion failed on a 4-2 vote, commissioners Lopes and Stevenson supporting the motion. On a second motion and a 5-1 vote (Commissioner Lopes dissenting) the commission approved the design of the new retail buildings subject to conditions and code requirements.  Commissioner Lopes was concerned that the visual analysis provided by the applicant was not sufficient.  The conditions of approval require additional building articulation and storefront orientation to be placed on building walls facing Los Osos Valley Road.  Conditions were also retained to enhance pedestrian access and modify the building colors. The project approval also included an addendum to the Costco EIR, however no additional mitigation measures were required of the project.

2.        390 Lawrence Drive. ARC 128-01; Architectural review of new residence and detached garage on a sensitive site. Reduced street yard from 20 feet to 10 feet. R-1 zone; Devin Gallagher, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore)

The new residence was approved by the ARC on a 6-0 vote.  Commissioners appreciated the sensitivity of the site design to the slope and native trees and recommended that a variance to allow a reduced street yard be approved.  Conditions of approval were adopted to ensure that the final design of the house complies with height standards for the R-1 district. 

3.        1063 Ella Street. ARC 74-05; Architectural review of demolition or relocation of a house and construction of residential condominiums. R-2 zone; Brian Rolph, applicant. ( Phil Dunsmore) 

On a 6-0 vote the item was continued to a date uncertain with specific direction to the applicant to modify the plans for reduced mass, enhanced common open space, additional parking, and other site plan changes to reduce the grading and apparent mass of the proposed development.  

4.        100 Madonna Road. ARC 100-05; Architectural review of a proposed pool, spa and associated improvements at Madonna Inn. C-T zone; Madonna Properties, applicant. (Jaime Hill) 

On a motion by Vice-Chair Boudreau, seconded by Commissioner Smith, the Commission voted 6-0 to grant final approval to the design of the project.  Discussion focused on site lighting, landscape screening the parking area, and the design of the rock waterfall feature.  Three conditions were added to the project approval that required the applicant to reduce the existing lighting on the cut face of the site, revise the landscape plan to screen parking, and consider adding additional building detail and decorative lighting fixtures. 

5.        728 Higuera Street. ARC 119-05; Architectural review of a seismic retrofit addition, and building modification of a two-story masonry building. C-D-H zone; Bill Hayes, applicant. (Jaime Hill) 

On a motion by Commissioner Stevenson, seconded Vice-Chair Boudreau, the Commission voted 5-1 (Commissioner Lopes voting no) to grant final approval to the design of the project. Discussion focused on the mixing of new and old brick, the rear basement exit, and noise associated with the Higuera Street bar opening.  Two additional conditions were added to the project approval that required that the front recessed doors remain closed during entertainment and directed the applicant to work with staff on new signage in a more traditional form, and utilizing external gooseneck lighting. 

6.        715 Tank Farm Road. ARC 98-05; Architectural review of a new commercial office with a building height exception at the South East corner of Tank Farm and Broad Streets. O-SP zone; Lee Development, applicant. (Tyler Corey) 

Due to the late hour, the ARC continued the item without discussion, to September 19, 2005. They gave direction for it to be first on the agenda. 

COMMENT & DICUSSION: 

7.        Minutes: of the July 5, 2005, July 18, 2005, August 1, 2005, August 15, 2005, meeting approve or amend. 

8.        Agenda Forecast 

9.        Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

ADJOURNED to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 19, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.